The Government of South Africa has declared Ariel Seidman, Israel’s chargé d’affaires in Pretoria, persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours. The decision was announced On Friday, 30 January 2026, by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) following what authorities described as repeated violations of diplomatic norms and actions undermining South Africa’s sovereignty .
South African officials cited Seidman’s use of official Israeli embassy social media platforms to launch insulting and politically charged attacks against President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as failure to formally notify the South African government about visits by senior Israeli officials, which Pretoria viewed as breaches of diplomatic protocol and the Vienna Convention.
The expulsion also follows diplomatic tensions linked to unauthorized engagements between Israeli representatives and South African regional and traditional leaders, including outreach efforts related to water, healthcare, and agricultural assistance in the Eastern Cape Province, actions the South African government interpreted as bypassing national authorities and interfering in internal governance matters.
In response, Israel expelled South African diplomat Shaun Edward Byneveldt, escalating an already strained diplomatic relationship. The diplomatic standoff reflects broader geopolitical tensions tied to South Africa’s strong pro-Palestinian stance, its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over Gaza-related actions, and Pretoria’s ongoing criticism of Israeli military operations.
The fallout occurs amid deteriorating relations between South Africa and the United States, with Washington expressing concern over Pretoria’s foreign policy alignment, including its ties to BRICS nations, Iran, and other geopolitical rivals. Analysts warn that the diplomatic crisis could influence trade relations, regional diplomacy, and broader Western-African political dynamics.
The decision has triggered domestic debate within South Africa, drawing mixed reactions from political groups, civil society organizations, and members of the country’s Jewish community, while reinforcing Pretoria’s commitment to asserting diplomatic sovereignty and maintaining its foreign policy posture on global human rights and international law
